VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
Northern Pulp’s proposed pipeline to carry treated effluent from its plant is being assumed to carry pollutants into the pristine water of the Northumberland Strait. But, one should ask, just how pristine is the receiving water, the Strait, into which the the proposed effluent will be piped?
Maurice Rees, in his Sept. 21 letter (“Industry at stake”), notes that communities on each side of the Strait pump “toxic and, in some cases, raw sewage into the water between P.E.I. and Nova Scotia.” While I am sure there are some instances of this, I am equally sure this is not the norm for most communities and cottages along the coastlines. This practice would not be allowed under the bylaws and regulations of the various jurisdictions alongside of the Strait; septic tanks and treatment plants would prevent any serious contamination from domestic sewage.
However, what Rees forgets to mention is the considerable volume of agricultural runoff into the Strait from farmland on both sides of the waterway. This runoff contains a variety of deleterious substances, including fertilizer, both synthetic and animal waste, pesticides, herbicides, metals and other toxic materials along with silt from the coastal watercourses flowing into the Strait from the eastern side of N.B., N.S. and the western side of P.E.I. This runoff would, at times, be of significant volume and could occasionally overpower nature’s restorative mechanisms to provide clean water into the Strait.
To properly determine the impact of a new source of pollution on the water column in the Strait, one would need to know the water quality now, by sampling and analyses. In other words, we cannot go forward with any degree of certainty until we know definitively where we are now. It’s all in the science and must be studied carefully to avoid any chance of future repercussions. Any less is unfair to all parties associated with Northern Pulp and decisions concerning its future in this province.
Don Carter, P.Eng., Dartmouth The upkeep of coastal highways across the province has always been difficult.
Historically, highways damaged by erosion and storm surges have been repaired, costing taxpayers thousands of dollars and hurting fragile coastal ecosystems with stresses from construction, as well as causing safety risk and inconvenience to civilians.
With recent damages from Dorian in mind, Nova Scotia needs to act.
Recent proposals for various locations, including Lawrencetown, have suggested implementation of breakwaters. Breakwaters provide a more long-term solution to the impacts of erosion. While they do not eliminate these impacts completely, they control waves and storm surges in order to create safer harbourage and they help to reduce impacts of erosion on infrastructure and ecosystems. Although breakwaters are controversial, especially within the surfing community at Lawrencetown, it is important to remember that coastal erosion is being accelerated due to climate change.
Clearly, our current Band-Aid fix of constant road repair is not an effective solution.
Samantha Howard, Halifax While public transportation is so inadequate, people will always have cars. However, HRM does not make it easier to drive around nor have good traffic flow, reducing pollution.
Building bike lanes inappropriately is one obstruction. South Park Street has a large grassy area where a bike lane could run, instead of dangerously narrowing the road with concrete blocks. University Avenue also has a wide grassy area down its middle. Barrington Street, a major artery in and out of downtown, has been narrowed between North Street and Devonshire Avenue with massively wide pedestrian walkways on the right and left.
Instead of spending money unwisely, why not install more sensing traffic lights and mini roundabouts to help traffic flow? Why not place pedestrian crossings at major junctions at least 15-20 feet back from the corner, so that drivers turning right on a red light are facing forward instead of looking left as they move? Much safer for pedestrians.
Tony Morris, Dartmouth